Dakota County, Minnesota

County in Minnesota, United States

This article is about the county in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. For the community in southeast Minnesota named Dakota, see Dakota, Minnesota.

U.S. county in Minnesota

Dakota County

U.S. county

Dakota County Courthouse

Dakota County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota

Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota's location within the U.S.

Minnesota's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State| File:Flag of Minnesota.svg Minnesota
Founded| October 27, 1849[1]
Named for| Dakota people
Seat| Hastings
Largest city| Lakeville
Area

• Total| 587 sq mi (1,520 km2)
• Land| 562 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Water| 25 sq mi (60 km2)  4.2%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 439,882
• Estimate

(2021)

| 442,038 Increase
• Density| 786/sq mi (303/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.dakotacounty.us

Dakota County is the third-most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota, located in the east central portion of the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 439,882. The population of Dakota County was estimated to be 442,038 in 2021.[2] The county seat is Hastings.[3] Dakota County is named for the Dakota Sioux tribal bands who inhabited the area.[4] The name is recorded as "Dahkotah" in the United States Census records until 1851.[5] Dakota County is included in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States with about 3.64 million residents. The largest city in Dakota County is the city of Lakeville, the eleventh-largest city in Minnesota and sixth-largest Twin Cities suburb. The county is bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the north, and the state of Wisconsin on the east.

File:Dakota Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf

Soils of Dakota County[6]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 1.1 Hastings and South St. Paul
* 1.2 Suburban growth
* 1.3 Historic sites
* 2 Law and government
* 2.1 Politics
* 3 Geography
* 3.1 Rivers
* 3.2 Lakes
* 3.3 Major highways
* 3.4 Adjacent counties
* 3.5 Protected areas
* 3.6 Parks
* 4 Economy
* 5 Demographics
* 5.1 2020 census
* 5.2 2010 census
* 6 Education
* 6.1 Schools
* 6.1.1 High school
* 6.1.2 Junior high school
* 6.1.3 Elementary school
* 6.1.4 Other schools
* 6.2 Colleges and universities
* 6.3 Libraries
* 7 Communities
* 7.1 Cities (2020 population estimate)
* 7.2 Unincorporated communities
* 7.3 Ghost towns
* 7.4 Townships
* 8 Notable people
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 External links

## History[edit | edit source]

The county was the site of historical events at Mendota that defined the state's future, including providing materials for the construction of Fort Snelling across the river and the signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux which ceded land from the native Dakota nation for the Minnesota Territory. The county's history was initially tied to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, both strategically important for United States expansion and as the convergence of the Dakota and Ojibwe nations who regarded the site as sacred. Influence shifted westward during the post-World War II settlement boom when Interstate 35 connected the western half of the county to Minneapolis and Saint Paul and bedroom communities grew. Most work outside the county but like many metro counties, Dakota continues to absorb industry and jobs from the core cities.[4][7]

File:Little Crow-cropped image.jpg

Taoyateduta led the Mendota Mdewakanton in northern Dakota County. He and 121 Sioux leaders ceded much of the present Twin Cities region.[8][9][10][11]

In the 1600s, Mdewakanton Dakota fled their ancestral home of Mille Lacs Lake in northern Minnesota in response to westward expansion of the Ojibwe nation.[12] According to Dakota tradition, their ancestors pushed out the Iowa who were found settled at the mouth of the Minnesota River.[13] In 1680, the Mdewakanton Dakota were contacted by French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, and the Mendota (mdo-TE) band of the Mdewakanton south of the Minnesota River were contacted by Joseph Nicollet in the 18th century.[14] While Taoyateduta (a.k.a. Little Crow) led the Mendota in northern Dakota County, upstream to the southwest, Chief Black Dog established his village of 600 people around 1750 at the isthmus between Black Dog Lake (which is named after him) and the Minnesota River, near the present site of the Black Dog Power Plant.[12][15]

File:St. Peter's Mendota 2006.jpg

Saint Peter's Church in Mendota is the state's oldest church

Following the published expeditions of explorers, in 1805, Zebulon Pike negotiated for military territory with the Mendota band which included land in Dakota County at the Mississippi River confluences with the Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers.[16] In 1819, on what is now Picnic Island on the south bank of the Minnesota River, Colonel Henry Leavenworth built a stockade fort called "St. Peter's Cantonment" or "New Hope," where materials were assembled for the construction of Fort Snelling to be built on the bluff on the north bank.[17] Permanent settlement on the island was impossible due to annual flooding. Alexis Bailey built some log buildings nearby to trade in furs in 1826. Henry Hastings Sibley later built the first stone house in Minnesota in 1836, overlooking Fort Snelling. Sibley was a partner in the American Fur Company, and considerable fur trade occurred at Mendota due to the accessibility of the confluence.

Ongoing United States expansion into the then "Northwest Territory" led to government purchase of land from the Dakota people (the Mdewakanton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, and Sisseton bands) via the Treaty of St. Peters and the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851.[18][19] and the Treaty of Mendota.[20] After the Minnesota Territory was established in 1849, Dakotah County (later Dakota County) spanned from the Mississippi River to the Missouri River.[21] By the time Minnesota achieved statehood in 1858, power and influence had shifted from Mendota, across the rivers to Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

### Hastings and South St. Paul[edit | edit source]

By 1900, the hub of activity in the county was in Hastings, the county seat, and a focal point of transportation, communication, and commerce. St. Peter's, now Mendota, had lost out to Fort Snelling. Hastings is located on the Mississippi River at the confluence of the St. Croix River and on the Vermillion River, which provided ample water power. Lumber, milling, and railroads provided good incomes. During this time, the stockyards and meat-packing plants in South St. Paul, Minnesota became the world's largest stockyards.[22] Ranchers in the west shipped their livestock to St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans.[23] These plants were worked by immigrants from Romania, Serbia, and other Eastern European countries.[24] The rest of the county remained agricultural during the boom of milling activity north of the Minnesota River due to lack of bridge connections. Rail access came in 1866 via the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railroad which shipped grain to millers.[25] The Minneapolis St. Paul Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company line in 1905 (now the Dan Patch Corridor), was primary for passengers going to resorts in Burnsville and Lakeville.[26]

### Suburban growth[edit | edit source]

By the 1950s, population growth shifted to western Dakota county, which had been predominantly Irish and Scottish extending southward toward the Scandinavians of Southern Minnesota.[27][28] As population pressures expanded south from Minneapolis and Bloomington, the completion of Interstate 35W and 35E brought about major construction in the post-World War II period, turning villages into cities within 20 years. Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Lakeville brought over 200,000 people into the county by the end of the century. The Western and Northern Service Centers were constructed in the early 1990s each with an additional courthouse location. License centers were subsequently set up in Burnsville and Lakeville. Though pressure remained since the postwar boom to move the county seat to a larger community, the Dakota County Board maintained the seat in Hastings, while providing government services across the county.[29]

### Historic sites[edit | edit source]

The history of the county is well-illustrated by the Registered Historic Places in the county, including the settlement at Mendota, the homes of well-heeled residents of Hastings, the ethnic gathering places in South Saint Paul, and other sites related to life on the prairie, including religion, education, transportation, commerce, and farm life.

## Law and government[edit | edit source]

Dakota County is governed by the Board of Commissioners. The members of the Board as of March 1, 2017 are:

* Mike Slavik, District 1
* Kathleen Gaylord, District 2
* Thomas Egan, District 3
* Joe Atkins, District 4
* Liz Workman, District 5
* Mary Liz Holberg, District 6
* Chris Gerlach, District 7

Dakota County has an elected Sheriff (Tim Leslie) and an elected County Attorney (James Backstrom). There are appointed boards for the library system, community development agency, and several advisory boards. Dakota County is served by an elected board of the Soil and Water Conservation District.

### Politics[edit | edit source]

Dakota County voters tend to vote Democratic. Since 1960, the county has selected the Democratic Party candidate in 71% of national elections (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Dakota County, Minnesota[30] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 109,638  | 41.81%  | 146,155  | 55.73% | 6,466  | 2.47%
2016 | 99,864  | 43.07%  | 110,592  | 47.70% | 21,404  | 9.23%
2012 | 109,516  | 47.45%  | 116,255  | 50.37% | 5,050  | 2.19%
2008 | 104,364  | 46.29%  | 116,778  | 51.79% | 4,330  | 1.92%
2004 | 108,959  | 50.48% | 104,635  | 48.48%  | 2,252  | 1.04%
2000 | 87,250  | 47.87% | 85,446  | 46.88%  | 9,553  | 5.24%
1996 | 57,244  | 37.11%  | 77,297  | 50.11% | 19,725  | 12.79%
1992 | 52,312  | 33.30%  | 63,660  | 40.53% | 41,108  | 26.17%
1988 | 61,606  | 49.45%  | 61,942  | 49.72% | 1,032  | 0.83%
1984 | 55,119  | 52.54% | 49,125  | 46.83%  | 667  | 0.64%
1980 | 40,708  | 42.96%  | 43,433  | 45.84% | 10,614  | 11.20%
1976 | 37,542  | 44.65%  | 44,253  | 52.63% | 2,285  | 2.72%
1972 | 34,967  | 53.96% | 28,479  | 43.95%  | 1,350  | 2.08%
1968 | 19,290  | 38.65%  | 28,416  | 56.94% | 2,202  | 4.41%
1964 | 13,856  | 32.73%  | 28,391  | 67.07% | 81  | 0.19%
1960 | 15,032  | 42.62%  | 20,150  | 57.13% | 91  | 0.26%
1956 | 13,112  | 50.74% | 12,672  | 49.04%  | 55  | 0.21%
1952 | 11,871  | 49.71%  | 11,890  | 49.79% | 118  | 0.49%
1948 | 6,819  | 34.75%  | 12,487  | 63.63% | 317  | 1.62%
1944 | 7,731  | 47.13%  | 8,562  | 52.20% | 110  | 0.67%
1940 | 8,339  | 47.00%  | 9,327  | 52.57% | 77  | 0.43%
1936 | 4,043  | 26.26%  | 8,890  | 57.73% | 2,465  | 16.01%
1932 | 4,439  | 32.56%  | 8,958  | 65.70% | 238  | 1.75%
1928 | 6,019  | 45.18%  | 7,215  | 54.15% | 89  | 0.67%
1924 | 3,931  | 42.34%  | 929  | 10.01%  | 4,424  | 47.65%
1920 | 5,373  | 66.45% | 2,190  | 27.08%  | 523  | 6.47%
1916 | 1,881  | 41.73%  | 2,373  | 52.64% | 254  | 5.63%
1912 | 609  | 14.20%  | 1,777  | 41.42% | 1,904  | 44.38%
1908 | 2,481  | 55.07% | 1,778  | 39.47%  | 246  | 5.46%
1904 | 2,685  | 68.69% | 1,078  | 27.58%  | 146  | 3.73%
1900 | 1,904  | 47.64% | 1,878  | 46.99%  | 215  | 5.38%
1896 | 2,147  | 46.41%  | 2,310  | 49.94% | 169  | 3.65%
1892 | 1,481  | 37.95%  | 1,989  | 50.97% | 432  | 11.07%

## Geography[edit | edit source]

The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the river valleys. Its highest point is at Buck Hill in Burnsville, at 1,168 feet. ASL.[31][32] The county has a total area of 587 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 562 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (4.2%) is water.[33]

### Rivers[edit | edit source]

File:VermillionFalls.jpg

Vermillion Falls in Hastings

The northern and eastern boundaries of Dakota County are marked by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Management and jurisdiction of the rivers falls into multiple local, State and Federal agencies. Most of the Minnesota River bank is under the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge with fish, wildlife, and parkland managed collectively by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District assists the county's six watershed management organizations (WMO) which include the Black Dog WMO, Gun Club Lake WMO, Lower Minnesota River Watershed District, Lower Mississippi WMO, North Cannon River WMO, and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization.[34][35][36]

* Mississippi River: Adjacent to Mendota Heights, Lilydale, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, and Hastings.
* Minnesota River: Adjacent to Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Mendota.
* Vermillion River: From Farmington through Empire Township to Hastings.
* Cannon River: Adjacent to Randolph and through Randolph Township.

### Lakes[edit | edit source]

Burnsville

* Crystal Lake

Eagan

* Blackhawk Lake
* Fish Lake
* Holland Lake
* Jensen Lake
* Thomas Lake

Eureka Township

* Chub Lake

Hastings

* Lake Rebecca
* Lake Isabelle
* Spring Lake
* Bullfrog Pond

Lakeville

* Lake Marion
* Orchard Lake
* Kingsley Lake
* Valley Lake
* Lee Lake

Lilydale

* Pickerel Lake

Randolph Township

* Lake Byllesby

Ravenna Township

* Mud Hen Lakes

Rosemount

* Keegan Lake

West Saint Paul

* Thompson Lake

### Major highways[edit | edit source]

* File:I-35.svg Interstate 35
* File:I-35E.svg Interstate 35E
* File:I-35W.svg Interstate 35W
* File:I-494.svg Interstate 494
* File:US 52.svg US Highway 52
* File:US 61.svg US Highway 61
* File:MN-3.svg Minnesota State Highway 3
* File:MN-13.svg Minnesota State Highway 13
* File:MN-19.svg Minnesota State Highway 19
* File:MN-20.svg Minnesota State Highway 20
* File:MN-50.svg Minnesota State Highway 50
* File:MN-55.svg Minnesota State Highway 55
* File:MN-56.svg Minnesota State Highway 56
* File:MN-62.svg Minnesota State Highway 62
* File:MN-77.svg Minnesota State Highway 77
* File:MN-149.svg Minnesota State Highway 149
* File:MN-156.svg Minnesota State Highway 156
* File:MN-316.svg Minnesota State Highway 316
* File:County 42 (MN).svg County Road 42
* File:County 23 (MN).svg County Road 23
* Other County Roads

### Adjacent counties[edit | edit source]

* Ramsey County \- north
* Washington County \- northeast
* Pierce County, Wisconsin \- east
* Goodhue County \- southeast
* Rice County \- southwest
* Scott County \- west
* Hennepin County \- northwest

### Protected areas[edit | edit source]

The following protected areas are within or partially within Dakota County:[31]

* Chub Lake Wildlife Management Area
* Fort Snelling State Park (part)
* Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area
* Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (part)
* Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (part)
* Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve (part)
* National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington (part)
* Spring Lake Regional Park & Park Reserve
* Vermillion Highlands
* Whitetail Woods Regional Park

### Parks[edit | edit source]

The following parks are located within Dakota County:[31]

* Big Rivers Regional Trail
* Dakota County Bikeway System
* Dakota Woods Dog Park
* Lake Byllesby Regional Park
* Lebanon Hills Regional Park
* Thompson County Park

## Economy[edit | edit source]

Since the county grew as a bedroom community of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, over half of the residents (54%) work outside the county.[7]

## Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1850| 584| | —
1860| 9,093| | 1,457.0%
1870| 16,312| | 79.4%
1880| 17,391| | 6.6%
1890| 20,240| | 16.4%
1900| 21,733| | 7.4%
1910| 25,171| | 15.8%
1920| 28,967| | 15.1%
1930| 34,592| | 19.4%
1940| 39,660| | 14.7%
1950| 49,019| | 23.6%
1960| 78,303| | 59.7%
1970| 139,808| | 78.5%
1980| 194,279| | 39.0%
1990| 275,227| | 41.7%
2000| 355,904| | 29.3%
2010| 398,552| | 12.0%
2020| 439,882| | 10.4%
2021 (est.)| 442,038| [37]| 0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[38]
1790-1960[39] 1900-1990[40]
1990-2000[41] 2010-2020[42]

### 2020 census[edit | edit source]

Dakota County, Minnesota - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)  Race / Ethnicity  | Pop 2010[43] | Pop 2020[44] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 327,962  | 323,629  | 82.29%  | 73.57%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 18,235  | 32,191  | 4.58%  | 7.32%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 1,339  | 1,490  | 0.34%  | 0.34%
Asian alone (NH)  | 17,350  | 23,932  | 4.35%  | 5.44%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 199  | 184  | 0.05%  | 0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH)  | 647  | 2,144  | 0.16%  | 0.49%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 8,854  | 20,007  | 2.22%  | 4.55%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 23,966  | 36,305  | 6.01%  | 8.25%
Total | 398,552 | 439,882 | 100.00% | 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

### 2010 census[edit | edit source]

According to the 2010 census, Dakota County had a population of 398,552, of which 195,661 (49.1%) were male and 202,891 (50.9%) were female. In terms of age, 76.7% of the population were 16 years and over, 73.6% were 18 years and over, 70.5% were 21 years and over, 12.8% were 62 years and over, and 10.0% were 65 years and over. The median age was 36.8 years. The median age for males was 35.7; the median age for females was 37.9.

In terms of race and ethnicity, the county was 85.2% White (82.3% Non-Hispanic White), 4.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 2.4% from some other race, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 6.0% of the population.

In terms of households, 69.5% were family households and 30.5% were non-family households. Approximately 55.2% were husband-wife family households; 26% had children under 18 years of age. Approximately 36.6% of households had children under 18 years of age living in them; 18.6% had people over the age of 65 living in them. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.12. In terms of housing occupancy, 95.3% of households were occupied and 4.7% were vacant. Of the vacant housing units, 2.0% were for rent, 0.1% were rented but not occupied, 1.2% were for sale only, 0.2% were sold but not occupied, 0.5% were for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use, and 0.8% were all other vacants. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%. Of all occupied housing units, 76.5% were owner-occupied and 23.5% were renter-occupied. The population in owner-occupied units was 314,833; the average household size was 2.71. The population in renter-occupied units was 80,866; the average household size was 2.26.[45]

## Education[edit | edit source]

Dakota County is home to the state's largest school districts and some of the highest paid Superintendents.[46] Nationally recognized Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) houses 28,000 and is the fourth largest school district in the state.[47][48] Other districts include Independent School District 191 (Burnsville–Eagan–Savage School District), Independent School District 194 (Lakeville–Elko–New Market), Independent School District 197 (West St. Paul–Mendota Heights–Eagan) and Independent School District 200 (Hastings).

### Schools[edit | edit source]

#### High school[edit | edit source]

* Apple Valley High School (ISD 196)
* Burnsville Senior High School (ISD 191)
* Burnsville Alternative High School (ISD 191)
* Eagan High School (ISD 196)
* Eastview High School (ISD 196)
* Farmington Senior High School (ISD 192)
* Hastings Area Alternative School & Learning Center (ISD 200)
* Hastings High School (ISD 200)
* Two Rivers High School (ISD 197)
* Lakeville North High School (ISD 194)
* Lakeville South High School (ISD 194)
* Rosemount High School (ISD 196)
* School of Environmental Studies (ISD 196)
* Simley High School (ISD 199)
* South Saint Paul High School (SSD 6)

#### Junior high school[edit | edit source]

* Black Hawk Middle School (ISD 196)
* Boeckman Middle School (ISD 192)
* Century Middle School (ISD 194)
* Dakota Hills Middle (ISD 196)
* Dodge Middle School (ISD 192)
* Friendly Hills Middle School (ISD 197)
* Gateway Academy (ISD 192)
* Hastings Middle School (ISD 200)
* Heritage E-STEM Magnet School (ISD 197)
* John Metcalf Junior High School (ISD 191)
* Joseph Nicollet Junior High School (ISD 191)
* Kenwood Trail Middle School (ISD 194)
* Levi P. Dodge Middle School (ISD 192)
* McGuire Middle School (ISD 194)
* Robert Boeckman Middle School (ISD 192)
* Rosemount Middle School (ISD 196)
* Scott Highlands Middle School (ISD 196)
* South Saint Paul Secondary (SSD 6)
* Valley Middle School (ISD 196)

#### Elementary school[edit | edit source]

* Akin Road Elementary (ISD 192)
* Cedar Park Elementary School (ISD 196)
* Cherry View Elementary School (ISD 194)
* Christa McAuliffe Elementary (ISD 200)
* Christina Huddleston Elementary School (ISD 194)
* Cooper Elementary (ISD 200)
* Deerwood Elementary (ISD 196)
* Diamond Path Elementary (ISD 196)
* East Lake Elementary (ISD 196)
* Eastview Elementary School (ISD 194)
* Echo Park Elementary (ISD 196)
* Edward D. Neill Elementary (ISD 191)
* Farmington Elementary (ISD 192)
* Garlough Environmental Magnet School (ISD 197)
* Gideon Pond Elementary (ISD 191)
* Glacier Hills Elementary (ISD 196)
* Greenleaf Elementary (ISD 196)
* Highland Elementary (ISD 196)
* John F. Kennedy Elementary (ISD 194)
* Kaposia Education Center (SSD 6)
* Lake Marion Elementary School (ISD 194)
* Lakeview Elementary School (ISD 194)
* Lincoln Center Elementary (SSD 6)
* Meadowview Elementary (ISD 192)
* Mendota Elementary School (ISD 197)
* Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School (ISD 197)
* North Trail Elementary (ISD 192)
* Northview Elementary (ISD 196)
* Oak Hills Elementary School (ISD 194)
* Oak Ridge Elementary (ISD 196)
* Orchard Lake Elementary (ISD 194)
* Parkview Elementary (ISD 196)
* Pilot Knob STEM Magnet School (ISD 197)
* Pinecrest Elementary (ISD 200)
* Pinewood Elementary (ISD 196)
* Rahn Elementary (ISD 191)
* Red Pine Elementary (ISD 196)
* Riverview Elementary (ISD 192)
* Rosemount Elementary (ISD 196)
* Shannon Park (ISD 196)
* Sioux Trail Elementary (ISD 191)
* Sky Oaks Elementary (ISD 191)
* Somerset Elementary School (ISD 197)
* Southview Elementary (ISD 196)
* Thomas Lake Elementary (ISD 196)
* Tilden Elementary (ISD 200)
* Vista View Elementary (ISD 191)
* William Byrne Elementary (ISD 191)
* Westview Elementary (ISD 196)
* Woodland Elementary (ISD 196)

#### Other schools[edit | edit source]

* Saint Joseph Catholic School (pre-kindergarten–8th grade)
* St. Croix Lutheran High School and Middle School
* Holy Trinity Catholic School (pre-kindergarten–8th grade)
* Faithful Shepherd Catholic School (pre-kindergarten-8th grade)

### Colleges and universities[edit | edit source]

* Dakota County Technical College
* Inver Hills Community College

### Libraries[edit | edit source]

Main article: Dakota County Library

* Burnhaven Library in Burnsville
* Farmington Library in Farmington
* Galaxie Library in Apple Valley
* Heritage Library in Lakeville
* Inver Glen Library in Inver Grove Heights
* Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings
* Robert Trail Library in Rosemount
* City of South St. Paul Library in South St. Paul
* Wentworth Library in West St. Paul
* Wescott Library in Eagan

## Communities[edit | edit source]

File:AV147th.jpg

Street in downtown Apple Valley with signature red lamp posts. In the background is the Western Service Center.

Dakota County is home to sites significant in the state's early history. At Mendota, the Treaty of Mendota was signed, opening Southern Minnesota to settlement, and prominent Saint Paul businessmen built their mansions there. Though linked with the state's capital for much of history via rail, Dakota County owes much of its current growth to the expansion of Minneapolis' population which accelerated during the post-World War II boom era of the 1960s. This demand for housing along with two major interstate highways linking Minneapolis (I-35W) and St. Paul (I-35E) to the county, concentrated major growth and demand along the northern end. Today, the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul are synonymous with the Twin Cities, as being part of "the Cities." Both Burnsville and Eagan are nearly developed and have become more like independent cities attracting major development than mere residential bedroom suburbs.[49][50]

File:Lakevillestores.jpg

Lakeville's downtown began in the early 20th century, contrasting its modern suburban development.

In contrast, the southern part of Dakota County reflects the rural past with small towns such as Farmington, Coates, Vermillion, Hampton, Randolph, and Miesville where street grids and housing dating from the early 20th century can be found. Much of the county is self-contained except for two examples. The City of Hastings, the county seat, lies on both banks of the Mississippi River and was linked historically and physically by rail to the growing influence of the state's capital, Saint Paul. On the south border, the City of Northfield, technically in Rice County, has expanded north into Dakota however the city itself is allowed into the municipal sewer boundary.[clarification needed]

Though all of Dakota County is considered part of the metropolitan area and open to major development, the county government has steadily preserved farmland and continues to acquire new permanent natural lands in the southern townships.[51] This has further defined the boundaries between urbanized and rural which is starkly visible in the outskirts of the developed cities. While the center of population still lies north with more cosmopolitan residents, culturally Dakota County is a rural community and the Dakota County Fair is still a largely agricultural event, held annually in Farmington.

Most of northern Dakota County is referred to as "South of the River" for its location being south of the Minnesota River.[52][53][54][55]

### Cities (2020 population estimate)[edit | edit source]

* Apple Valley 55,059
* Burnsville 61,461
* Coates 161
* Eagan 67,097
* Farmington 23,901
* Hampton 689
* Hastings (partly in Washington County) 22,849
* Inver Grove Heights 36,025
* Lakeville 69,295
* Lilydale 623
* Mendota 198
* Mendota Heights 11,492
* Miesville 125
* New Trier 112
* Northfield (mostly in Rice County) 20,774
* Randolph 436
* Rosemount 25,441
* South St. Paul 20,165
* Sunfish Lake 521
* Vermillion 419
* West St. Paul 19,738

### Unincorporated communities[edit | edit source]

* Castle Rock
* Etter
* Eureka Center
* Waterford
* Rosemount

### Ghost towns[edit | edit source]

* Lewiston
* Nininger

### Townships[edit | edit source]

* Castle Rock Township
* Douglas Township
* Empire Township
* Eureka Township
* Greenvale Township
* Hampton Township
* Marshan Township
* Nininger Township
* Randolph Township
* Ravenna Township
* Sciota Township
* Vermillion Township
* Waterford Township

## Notable people[edit | edit source]

Main category: People from Dakota County, Minnesota

* Pierce Butler, United States Supreme Court justice
* Ignatius Donnelly, politician
* Steven Engler, politician
* David Knutson, Minnesota State Senator of District 37, 2003-2004[56]
* Henry Hastings Sibley, first Governor of Minnesota
* Harold Stassen (R), Former Governor of Minnesota, Aide to Adm. Bull Halsey, Aide to President Dwight Eisenhower, Participant/Drafter of the United Nations Charter

## See also[edit | edit source]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Dakota County, Minnesota

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
2. ^ "U.S. Census". U.S. Census. March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ a b "County Origin". Dakota County Historical Society. 2005. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008.
5. ^ Charles Dosh (2003–2007). "Dakota County Genealogy". MN Gen Web.
6. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 43 - 48. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
7. ^ a b Kevin Monroe; Dawn Thongsavath; Heidi Welsch (May 2006). "Public Assistance Caseload, Increase Analysis" (PDF). Dakota County Employment and Economic Assistance. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
8. ^ Kappler, Charles J., Washington: Government Printing Office, ed. (1904). "Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties". II (Treaties, 1778-1883). Oklahoma State University Library. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
9. ^ "Treaty with the Sioux". September 29, 1837. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008.
10. ^ "Treaty with the Sioux—Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands". July 23, 1851. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
11. ^ "Treaty With the Sioux—Mdewakanton and Wapahkoota Bands". August 5, 1851. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
12. ^ a b Mark Morrison (2008). "Dakota Life". City of Bloomington. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.
13. ^ Handbook of American Indians, 1906 (2008). "Iowa Indian Tribe History". Access Genealogy.
14. ^ "Who We Are". Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community. 2007.
15. ^ Dakota County Historical Society (2005). "Historic Sites: Burnsville". Archived from the original on December 30, 2003.
16. ^ "The Treaty Story". Minnesota History Center. 1999. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009.
17. ^ "Historic Sites:Mendota Heights". Dakota County Historical Society. 2005. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
18. ^ Carley, Kenneth (1976). The Sioux Uprising of 1862. Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 0-87351-103-4. OCLC 2225048.
19. ^ Lass, William (1998) [1977]. Minnesota: A History. New York NY: W. W. Norton & Co. ISBN 0-393-04628-1. OCLC 37527613.
20. ^ Meyer, Roy Willard (1993). History of the Santee Sioux: United States Indian Policy on Trial. Lincoln NE: University of Nebraska Press.
21. ^ Dosh, Charles. "Welcome To Dakota County MN". MN Genweb. Retrieved March 2, 2008.
22. ^ "South St. Paul Riverfront Trail". Mississippi National River and Recreation area. Archived from the original on December 31, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
23. ^ "County Origin". Dakota County Historical Society. 2005. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
24. ^ "Historic Sites:South St. Paul". Dakota County Historical Society. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
25. ^ ED Neill (1881). "History of Dakota County 1881". Burnsville Heritage Committee. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009.
26. ^ "The Dan Patch railway". St. Louis Park Historical Society. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008.
27. ^ Kevin Gerahty (March 2006). "Histories of the Dakota County Irish". Friends of the Highland Cemetery.
28. ^ Karen Miller (1896). The diary of Karen Miller. s.n.
29. ^ Dan Gearino (August 11, 2000). "County breaks ground on $36.5 million Northern Service Center in West St. Paul". Thisweek Newspapers. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
30. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
31. ^ a b c "Find an Altitude/Dakota County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)
32. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Dakota. IASE county of Minnesota" . The American Cyclopædia.
33. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
34. ^ Home - Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District Archived July 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
35. ^ Mississippi River Critical Area Program - Division of Waters: Minnesota DNR
36. ^ "Lower Minnesota River Watershed District". Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
37. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved March 30, 2022.
38. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
39. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
40. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
41. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
42. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
43. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Dakota County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
44. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Dakota County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
45. ^ "American FactFinder - Results". Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
46. ^ State Auditor Awada says some Minnesota school boards mask superintendent payArchived November 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
47. ^ School District 196 Public Relations and CommunicationsArchived August 10, 2007, at archive.today
48. ^ About School District 196Archived April 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
49. ^ Burnsville 'in great shape,' mayor saysArchived September 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
50. ^ U.S. Postal Service studies Eagan site for possible relocation of 3 metro post officesArchived October 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
51. ^ Dakota County News and Program Updates Archived August 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
52. ^ South of the River Music Archived May 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
53. ^ South of the River 7 on 7 Passing League
54. ^ South of the River Band
55. ^ Dirk Deyoung (April 24, 1998). "South of the river draws big players". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
56. ^ "Knutson, David L." Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 2, 2018.

## External links[edit | edit source]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dakota County, Minnesota.

* Dakota County Historical Society
* Dakota County government's website
* Dakota County Library's website
* Dakota County Parks
* Dakota County Community Development Agency
* Dakota County Biographies from 1881
* Dakota County Sheriff's Office

Coordinates: 44°41′N 93°04′W﻿ / ﻿44.68°N 93.06°W﻿ / 44.68; -93.06

Places adjacent to Dakota County, Minnesota

| Hennepin County | Ramsey County | Washington County

|
|

| North |
Scott County |

Dakota County, MinnesotaEast

| Pierce County, Wisconsin
| South |
Rice County |
| Goodhue County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Hastings

Cities|

* Apple Valley
* Burnsville
* Coates
* Eagan
* Farmington
* Hampton
* Hastings‡
* Inver Grove Heights
* Lakeville
* Lilydale
* Mendota
* Mendota Heights
* Miesville
* New Trier
* Northfield‡
* Randolph
* Rosemount
* South St. Paul
* Sunfish Lake
* Vermillion
* West St. Paul

Map of Minnesota highlighting Dakota County

Townships|

* Castle Rock
* Douglas
* Empire
* Eureka
* Greenvale
* Hampton
* Marshan
* Nininger
* Randolph
* Ravenna
* Sciota
* Vermillion
* Waterford

Unincorporated
communities|

* Castle Rock
* Etter
* Eureka Center
* Waterford

Ghost towns|

* Lewiston
* Nininger

Indian
reservation|

* Prairie Island Indian Community‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Features of Dakota County, Minnesota

Communities|

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Hastings

Cities|

* Apple Valley
* Burnsville
* Coates
* Eagan
* Farmington
* Hampton
* Hastings‡
* Inver Grove Heights
* Lakeville
* Lilydale
* Mendota
* Mendota Heights
* Miesville
* New Trier
* Northfield‡
* Randolph
* Rosemount
* South St. Paul
* Sunfish Lake
* Vermillion
* West St. Paul

Map of Minnesota highlighting Dakota County

Townships|

* Castle Rock
* Douglas
* Empire
* Eureka
* Greenvale
* Hampton
* Marshan
* Nininger
* Randolph
* Ravenna
* Sciota
* Vermillion
* Waterford

Unincorporated
communities|

* Castle Rock
* Etter
* Eureka Center
* Waterford

Ghost towns|

* Lewiston
* Nininger

Indian
reservation|

* Prairie Island Indian Community‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

People|

* Pierce Butler, U.S. Supreme Court justice
* Natalie Darwitz, Olympic Silver Medalist
* Ignatius Donnelly, Minnesota's 2nd Lt. Governor
* Craig Kilborn, comedian
* John Kline, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district
* Paul James Krause, NFL Hall of Famer
* Joan Kroc, philanthropist
* Laura Osnes, actress
* Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota's 39th Governor
* Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota's 2nd Governor
* Coleen Rowley, former FBI agent
* Henry Hastings Sibley, Minnesota's 1st Governor
* Harold Stassen, Minnesota's 25th Governor

Geography|

* Mississippi River: Adjacent to South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, and Hastings
* Minnesota River: Adjacent to Mendota Heights, Mendota, and Burnsville
* Vermillion River: From Farmington through Eureka Township to Hastings

Historic Sites|

* Byron Howes House
* Church of Saint Mary's-Catholic
* Church of the Advent
* Dakota County Courthouse
* Daniel F. Akin House
* District No. 72 School
* East Second Street Commercial Historic District
* Emil J. Oberhoffer House
* Exchange Bank Building
* Fasbender Clinic
* First Presbyterian Church, Hastings
* Fort Snelling
* Fort Snelling-Mendota Bridge
* George W. Wentworth House
* Good Templars Hall
* Hastings Foundry-Star Iron Works
* Hastings Methodist Episcopal Church
* Henry H. Sibley House
* Holz Family Farmstead
* Ignatius Eckert House
* MacDonald–Todd House
* Mendota Historic District
* Minneapolis Saint Paul Rochester & Dubuque Electric Traction Company Depot
* Ramsey Mill and Old Mill Park
* Reuben Freeman House
* Rudolph Latto House
* Serbian Home
* St. Stefan's Romanian Orthodox Church
* Stockyards Exchange
* Thompson–Fasbender House
* VanDyke–Libby House
* West Second Street Residential Historic District
* William G. LeDuc House

Industry|

* Pine Bend Refinery
* Thomson West
* Northwest Airlines

Attractions|

* Big Rivers Regional Trail
* Chimney Rock SNA
* Fort Snelling State Park
* Lake Byllesby Regional Park
* Lebanon Hills Regional Park
* Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

* v
* t
* e

Cities in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI metropolitan statistical area

Minnesota|

* Afton
* Albertville
* Andover
* Annandale
* Anoka
* Apple Valley
* Arden Hills
* Becker
* Belle Plaine
* Bethel
* Big Lake
* Blaine
* Bloomington
* Braham
* Brooklyn Center
* Brooklyn Park
* Buffalo
* Burnsville
* Cambridge
* Carver
* Center City
* Centerville
* Champlin
* Chanhassen
* Chaska
* Chisago City
* Circle Pines
* Clear Lake
* Clearwater
* Coates
* Cokato
* Cologne
* Columbia Heights
* Columbus
* Coon Rapids
* Corcoran
* Crystal
* Dayton
* Deephaven
* Delano
* Eagan
* East Bethel
* Eden Prairie
* Edina
* Elk River
* Elko New Market
* Excelsior
* Falcon Heights
* Farmington
* Fridley
* Gem Lake
* Golden Valley
* Greenfield
* Greenwood
* Ham Lake
* Hamburg
* Hampton
* Hanover
* Hanover
* Harris
* Hastings
* Hilltop
* Hopkins
* Howard Lake
* Maple Lake
* Independence
* Inver Grove Heights
* Isanti
* Jordan
* Lakeville
* Lauderdale
* Lexington
* Lilydale
* Lindstrom
* Lino Lakes
* Little Canada
* Long Lake
* Loretto
* Maple Grove
* Maple Plain
* Maplewood
* Mayer
* Medicine Lake
* Medina
* Mendota
* Mendota Heights
* Miesville
* Minneapolis
* Minnetonka Beach
* Minnetonka
* Minnetrista
* Monticello
* Montrose
* Mound
* Mounds View
* New Brighton
* North Oaks
* New Germany
* New Hope
* New Prague
* New Trier
* North Branch
* North St. Paul
* Northfield
* Norwood Young America
* Oakdale
* Oak Grove
* Oak Park Heights
* Orono
* Osseo
* Otsego
* Plymouth
* Princeton
* Prior Lake
* Ramsey
* Randolph
* Richfield
* Robbinsdale
* Rockford
* Rogers
* Rosemount
* Roseville
* Rush City
* St. Anthony Village
* Savage
* Shafer
* Shakopee
* Shoreview
* Shorewood
* South Haven
* South St. Paul
* Spring Lake Park
* Spring Park
* St. Anthony
* St. Bonifacius
* St. Cloud
* St. Francis
* St. Louis Park
* St. Michael
* St. Paul
* Stacy
* Stillwater
* Sunfish Lake
* Taylors Falls
* Tonka Bay
* Vadnais Heights
* Vermillion
* Victoria
* Waconia
* Watertown
* Waverly
* Wayzata
* West St. Paul
* White Bear Lake
* Woodland
* Woodbury
* Wyoming
* Zimmerman

Wisconsin|

* Baldwin
* Bay City
* Cady
* Clifton
* Cylon
* Deer Park
* Diamond Bluff
* Ellsworth
* Elmwood
* Emerald
* Eau Galle
* El Paso
* Erin Prairie
* Forest
* Gilman
* Glenwood
* Glenwood City
* Hammond
* Hartland
* Hudson
* Isabelle
* Kinnickinnic
* Maiden Rock
* Martell
* New Richmond
* North Hudson
* Oak Grove
* Oak Park Heights
* Pleasant Valley
* Plum City
* Prescott
* Richmond
* River Falls
* Roberts
* Rock Elm
* Rush River
* Salem
* Somerset
* Spring Lake
* Spring Valley
* Springfield
* St. Joseph
* Stanton
* Star Prairie
* Trenton
* Trimbelle
* Troy
* Union
* Warren
* Wilson
* Woodville

* v
* t
* e

Areas in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-St. Cloud, MN-WI Combined Statistical Area

Metropolitan areas|

* Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI
* St. Cloud, MN

Micropolitan areas|

* Faribault–Northfield, MN
* Hutchinson, MN
* Red Wing, MN

* v
* t
* e

State of Minnesota

Saint Paul (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Outline
* Biking/Cycling
* Cities
* Climate (Climate change)
* Colleges and universities
* Congressional districts
* Ecology
* Geography
* Geology
* Governors
* High schools
* Hiking
* Historical Congressional delegations
* Historical Landmarks
* History
* Lakes
* Local government
* Movies and television
* Music
* Newspapers
* People
* Political parties
* Rivers
* School districts
* Scouting
* State fair
* Statutes
* State parks
* Symbols
* Territory
* Tourist attractions
* Townships
* Transportation

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* LGBT
* Politics
* Sports
* Theater

Regions|

* Arrowhead
* Boundary Waters
* Buffalo Ridge
* Central
* Coteau des Prairies
* Dissected Till Plains
* Driftless Area
* Iron Range
* Minnesota River Valley
* North Shore
* Northwest Angle
* North Woods
* Pipestone
* Red River Valley
* Siouxland
* Southeast
* Twin Cities metropolitan area

Largest cities
pop. over 25,000|

* Andover
* Apple Valley
* Blaine
* Bloomington
* Brooklyn Center
* Brooklyn Park
* Burnsville
* Champlin
* Chanhassen
* Chaska
* Coon Rapids
* Cottage Grove
* Duluth
* Eagan
* Eden Prairie
* Edina
* Elk River
* Fridley
* Inver Grove Heights
* Lakeville
* Mankato
* Maple Grove
* Maplewood
* Minneapolis
* Minnetonka
* Moorhead
* Oakdale
* Owatonna
* Plymouth
* Prior Lake
* Ramsey
* Richfield
* Rochester
* Rosemount
* Roseville
* St. Cloud
* St. Louis Park
* Saint Paul
* Savage
* Shakopee
* Shoreview
* Winona
* White Bear Lake
* Woodbury

Counties|

* Aitkin
* Anoka
* Becker
* Beltrami
* Benton
* Big Stone
* Blue Earth
* Brown
* Carlton
* Carver
* Cass
* Chippewa
* Chisago
* Clay
* Clearwater
* Cook
* Cottonwood
* Crow Wing
* Dakota
* Dodge
* Douglas
* Faribault
* Fillmore
* Freeborn
* Goodhue
* Grant
* Hennepin
* Houston
* Hubbard
* Isanti
* Itasca
* Jackson
* Kanabec
* Kandiyohi
* Kittson
* Koochiching
* Lac qui Parle
* Lake
* Lake of the Woods
* Le Sueur
* Lincoln
* Lyon
* Mahnomen
* Marshall
* Martin
* McLeod
* Meeker
* Mille Lacs
* Morrison
* Mower
* Murray
* Nicollet
* Nobles
* Norman
* Olmsted
* Otter Tail
* Pennington
* Pine
* Pipestone
* Polk
* Pope
* Ramsey
* Red Lake
* Redwood
* Renville
* Rice
* Rock
* Roseau
* Saint Louis
* Scott
* Sherburne
* Sibley
* Stearns
* Steele
* Stevens
* Swift
* Todd
* Traverse
* Wabasha
* Wadena
* Waseca
* Washington
* Watonwan
* Wilkin
* Winona
* Wright
* Yellow Medicine

Attractions|

| Festivals|

* State Fair

|

Other|

* Mall of America

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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